Magistrate Recommends Rejecting YouTube Movie Piracy Suit

U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres for the Southern District of Florida recommended YouTube's motion for summary judgment be granted, in a suit charging it with copyright infringement for hosting hundreds of classic Mexican films without permission. In a report and recommendation Tuesday (docket 1:21-cv-21698), Torres agreed with YouTube's contentions that plaintiff Athos Overseas, which holds title to the films, is putting forth an interpretation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that differs from the statute's plain language and applicable case law. He said Athos' argument of YouTube's supposed knowledge violates the DMCA's non-monitoring provisions. Torres rejected Athos' argument for partial summary judgment and recommended judgment be entered for the plaintiff and the case closed.